Smith earns two victories at the Mat Classic

By Shaun Scott • February 20, 2019 5:08 pm
Bothell Cougars wrestler Jay Smith, left, pinned North Creek’s Damon Wallace, right, in just 40 seconds in the first round of the Class 4A state wrestling tournament in the 182-pound weight division on Feb. 15 at the Tacoma Dome. Smith had an overall record of 2-2 at the tourney. Photo courtesy of Don Borin/Stop Action Photography
Bothell Cougars wrestler Jay Smith, left, pinned North Creek’s Damon Wallace, right, in just 40 seconds in the first round of the Class 4A state wrestling tournament in the 182-pound weight division on Feb. 15 at the Tacoma Dome. Smith had an overall record of 2-2 at the tourney. Photo courtesy of Don Borin/Stop Action Photography

Bothell Cougars senior wrestler Jay Smith may not have placed at the Mat Classic Class 4A state tournament in the 182-pound weight division, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t make a significant impact.

Smith, who lost to Chiwana’s Tyson Stover 11-3 in the 182-pound quarterfinal matchup, had an overall record of 2-2 at the final tournament of his high school career. Smith defeated Logan Stafford (South Kitsap) 10-2 and also pinned North Creek wrestler Damon Wallace in just 40 seconds in the opening round of the tourney at the Tacoma Dome.

“I just came out confident, wrestled my hardest and worked on the stuff I needed to work on,” Smith said of his win against Wallace.

Smith wasn’t bothered by the lack of practice time in the week leading up to the Mat Classic. The majority of the Cougars’ practice sessions were canceled due to adverse weather conditions.

“I have been training on my own since school has been out (canceled),” Smith said on Feb. 15. “I found some people who were willing to roll around (wrestle) with me. I also went to the gym where I ran and swam a lot to keep myself in shape.”